Shaken alliances spark global chaos

The world has become more chaotic than ever with global alignments shifting significantly ever since Donald Trump came to power as US president.

When Joe Biden was president, relations between Europe and the United States grew stronger after Russia invaded Ukraine, and Russia had no choice but to seek closer ties with China and North Korea amid sanctions from Europe and the United States.

At the time, there were two major alliances: Europe and the United States with other G7 states, and a bloc led by China and Russia. However, cracks in these alliances were beginning to show even before Trump came to power.

Most Americans were unhappy over the amount of aid being poured into Ukraine and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's request for more aid - right after receiving US$1 billion (HK$78 billion) last October - reportedly infuriated Biden.

And while Russia grew closer to China, it was dissatisfied with Beijing's neutral stance on the war and this made its President Vladimir Putin seek North Korea's assistance in the conflict.

As North Korea grew closer to Russia, its leader once referred to China as a sworn enemy, though the comments were later played down. Nonetheless, it revealed the underlying friction between China, Russia and North Korea.

Now, in order to address US debt and prevent the collapse of US Treasury bonds and the US dollar, Trump has drastically reduced government spending and made it clear that America can't continue to provide unconditional military aid to Ukraine.

By clashing with Zelensky and holding talks with Putin, Trump has upended the US-EU alliance and shaken Russian ties with China.

Russia sees the rare opportunity to communicate with the US as a chance to ease the sanctions it has faced over the past four years and consequently, its reliance on China may decrease.

China's role on the international stage has become more passive and Beijing will find it harder to win over Europe, whose automakers face major challenges from Chinese manufacturers.

Russia seems more inclined to talk directly with the US, which diminishes China's role as a mediator in the war.

Beijing, therefore, needs to consider what leverage it has on the international stage, as Trump ramps up the pressure on China.

Andrew Wong is a veteran independent commentator